Herbal remedies can ease the discomfort of colds and flu; they may reduce the unpleasant symptoms, speed up recovery and prevent recurring infections. So let’s take a look at specific herbal tonics for common complaints.

Respiratory support

Combinations of herbs such as echinacea, mullein, hyssop, horehound, and garlic (provided there is no sensitivity) are commonly used where there is a respiratory condition. Wild cherry bark tea is useful to relieve a persistent cough that keeps you awake at night. Persistent long-term coughing, particularly when not associated with a cold or flu, should be investigated by a qualified physician. To help build up immunity, particularly if there is a tendency for frequent colds and infections, echinacea can be a great support. In addition garlic, onion and thyme are examples of herbal foods that have anti-microbial qualities.

Chop the onion up into small pieces. Pour the honey over the top. Leave overnight in the fridge. Strain the onion off in the morning (or leave in for a stronger concoction), put in a glass jar with tight lid. Allow a spoonful of the mix whenever necessary. Other syrups may be made using licorice root, aniseed, thyme leaves, flaxseed, lemon and lime. Flaxseed syrup is particularly good for sore throats as well as stomach problems. Honey*, is effective in relieving the symptoms of a dry, non-productive cough.

Bring all ingredients to the boil in 40fl oz of water, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Children over two may have, on average, one cupful every two hours, sweetened with honey if required. Dilute with half water for one-to-two year olds. Incorporate any of the following: basil, boneset, chamomile, catnip, coriander seeds, echinacea, elderflower, hyssop, lavender, lemon balm, limeflowers, meadowsweet, peppermint, rosemary, vervain and yarrow

Place blackberries, water and half the sugar into a covered bowl and place in a saucepan of water.

Boil and then simmer for two hours.

Strain and press the liquid through some clean muslin cloth into a different pan.

Add the rest of the sugar and heat slowly until the sugar is dissolved.

Boil for 5 minutes.

Skim, cool and then pour into bottles with screw tops or corks.

This will keep, refrigerated, for up to six months.

Flu/Fever

A hot infusion of yarrow and boneset, particularly in the case of a fever and flu, can be very helpful; don’t forget that adding honey* will make any bitter tea sweeter. Or try adding elderflower and linden to create a more pleasant taste and have a stronger effect.

Turmeric at first sign of a cold or sore throat can prove a great help. Mix a teaspoon into some honey (preferably Manuka) and let the child lick a teaspoon every two hours or ¼ – ½ tsp of powder two to three times a day or dissolve in hot water and honey and drink between meals 10. For adults, drink two to three cupfuls of tea mixed with chai and honey in between meals.

Stress

Anxiety and stress. For anxious, stressed and upset children, lemon balm, chamomile, linden, lavender and skullcap can be helpful. Lavender and chamomile make a wonderful relaxing bath that may be used before bed to help with sleep, colic or panic attacks.

Lemon and mint tea

½ tsp chopped lemongrass

½ tsp crushed mint

Put the herbs in a teapot.Fill with hot water, cover and steep for 10 minutes.

Tummy

For mild tummy pain and discomfort chamomile, lemon balm, dill, fennel, peppermint and aniseed often work well (individually and in combinations of two or three), plus they also taste pleasant.

ConstipationShould be addressed at its causative level, however, if needed try the following preparations. Psyllium seeds may also be added to breakfast cereal. All health food shops carry a range of psyllium and pre-ground products are easy to use; just sprinkle a teaspoon or two over cereal or into smoothies.

Slippery elm gruel

1 tbs slippery elm powder

¾ cup water

1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Combine powder and water in saucepan and heat until warm, stirring the mixture to prevent clumping.

Add optional lemon juice for flavour, or you can sweeten the gruel with your child’s favorite herbal or fruit-based drink.

Drink before it cools – as gruel cools down, it thickens and the thicker it gets, the more likely your child is to give it the thumbs down.

Constipation tea

1 cup boiling water

½ teaspoon licorice root

¼ teaspoon ginger root (or fennel seeds)

¼ cup apple juice (optional)

¼ cup prune juice (optional)

Steep first 3 ingredients; strain; add juices.

Recommended intake is roughly ¼ cup every two hours for a 50 lb / 23kg child, “until a change for the better becomes apparent”.

Gas and colic tea

Boil the fennel seed and cramp bark in about 1¼ cups of water.

Simmer for 10 minutes, ensuring you keep the lid on the pot to reduce evaporation.

Add dried peppermint.

Steep for 10 minutes.

Strain and drink.

Colic can sometimes be improved when a breastfeeding mum includes chamomile, basil, dill and fennel in her diet.

SkinSkin Childhood eczema may be helped by infusion of cleavers, nettles and red clover, chamomile or linden flowers. Chickweed gels can also be found in many health food shops and may be useful topically.

Nappy rash Diluted herbal infusions of lavender, chamomile or marigold may help. Make sure baby’s skin has dried properly –- allow time out of nappies. Before popping a nappy back on, use a cream made up of chamomile, chickweed or marigold (calendula).

Cradle cap Olive or sesame oil can be very effective. Consider adding some lavender oil (just a drop or two, it should be well diluted). Massage in and wash off in warm bath water.

Sticky eye Put bubs in a warm bath made up with a weak infusion of chamomile, marigold, elderflower and mullein tea. Older children may have their eyes bathed in herbal infusions consisting of herbs such as chamomile, chickweed, elderflowers, eyebright and goldenseal three times a day. Pour gently over the child’s eye while they are in the bath (they can hold their head back a little) and try not to wipe off. Maybe dab with a muslin wrap. Appropriate herbal teabags (ie. chamomile) can be used: soak in boiling water, allow to cool to lukewarm and place over the eye for 5-10 minutes.

Build Up Soup for poorly children

1 brown juicy onion4 gloves of minced garlic4 parsnips1 cup of celery and green beans2 cups of carrots2 large potatoesFresh Thyme, salt and basilUse a slow cooker, chop up all ingredients cover with water and cook for 7-8 hours or using a stove top method place in heavy based saucepan everything except the basil and thyme